10 Questions with Adam Mescan

Shutter Photography & Film

Photographer - Adam Mescan

10 Questions with Adam Mescan

1. Introduction: What's your story?

Hi, I'm Adam Mescan, owner and lead photographer and videographer at Shutter Photography & Film. My love for photography has been an exciting ride. I first started my journey in high school where I started a photography course and soon dropped the class. I picked up photography again in college after searching through what major I wanted to settle on and found out accounting nor economics were my thing. I was lucky enough to be introduced to a local photographer to assist and become a second shooter for her on weddings by a classmate in a communications course later in college. I slowly worked my way to being the lead photographer on my first wedding and eventually started a business with a good friend of mine from college. He moved out of state and then out of the country so I took on the business solo.

2. How long have you been shooting weddings? How many weddings have you photographed?

My introduction to weddings started in college, nearly 8 years ago now working as an assistant and second photographer for a local photographer in Louisville, KY. I worked with her on weddings for a couple of years before I decided I was confident enough to take on my first wedding as a lead photographer. I'm not one for keeping up the numbers of how many weddings I have assisted on, photographed, or shot video for. I have learned through working with other professionals on weddings to becoming the lead photographer and videographer of my own business.

3. How would you describe your photography style?

I'm very much a candid style person. I love catching people being completely themselves when not worried about noticing a camera! And having worked for a publication for years I've developed a documentary style of photography. I have learned and become advanced in using lighting to give the best look in dark venues. I realized some time back that posing was something I needed to learn and focus on so I know how to pose with keeping it looking natural and also working with big groups for family photos and wedding party photos. I will tell your story and document the energy of your wedding day capturing the candid style moments of you and your guests.

4. How well in advance should couples book their wedding photographer?

I would give the advice of making sure your wedding date is locked in by having your venue booked. Once you have your venue booked you know for sure you have book other vendors as well as your photographer and videographer at that time. Make it easier on yourself by starting early. Booking at least a year out to give yourself time for your engagement session and to make sure you get the photographer you want. I see people booking one to two years out as well as people booking a couple of months in advance. The fall is the busiest time of the year for me with October being the busiest month of the year. You can always inquire and make sure someone is still open for your wedding date and if they've had a lot of requests for the same date.

5. What are the different packages that you offer and which one is your most popular package?

I offer a wide range of wedding collections for photography, video, or a combination of the two! In my basic collection, you'll see 4 hours of coverage time, color edits for photos, and as a standard, I always include copyright, digital download, and a timeline meeting. My collections are laid out by the hours starting at 4 hours for the basic, then 6, 8, and 10 hours of coverage. The basic collection is the only one that doesn't include an engagement session. Collection 3 with 8 hours of coverage adds on a beautiful 10x10 leather album and Collection 4 with 10 hours of coverage includes a 12x12 leather album as well as color and black and white edits to your wedding photos. I would say Collection 3 is the most popular but Collection 4 is close to it making sure to cover all the moments before the ceremony and the exit at the end of the reception. Extra hours are offered if 10 hours are not enough to cover all the things you'd like documented.

6. Are you the wedding photographer who will be shooting on the wedding day? Who else is there in your team?

I am the photographer or videographer on your wedding day. I don't claim to be able to do both effectively which is why you'll have a larger team included depending on the wedding collection you book me for. I have associate photographers and videographers that are hired to fill out the team as needed. I have been the lead photographer or videographer for combination collections depending on what is most important to you. The largest teams include a first camera for photo, a second photographer, a first videographer, and a second videographer. The number of assistants who are non-camera people can vary if they are needed. On the wedding day, I am like a director as well as a cameraman. I make sure things run smoothly and coverage is being provided where it's needed.

7. Do you charge a travel fee? For what distance? What does that cover?

I will most definitely travel and love to travel! I have experience traveling domestically and overseas with my passport ready. Yes, a travel fee is based on the distance or location of the wedding. For nearby travel outside the Louisville area, the federal mileage rate to and from the venue is added. For further travel, you're including a fee for the flight, Airbnb/hotel, rental car, and meals.

8. Are albums or prints included in your packages?

Albums are included in Collections 3 and 4 which are 8 and 10 hours of coverage. You can most definitely add on an album as well as copies of the album for each set of parents. Prints are not included but with your online gallery, you have the ability to order so many different sizes, surfaces, and even framed prints!

9. How long after the wedding will the couple receive the images? How will they be delivered?

After the wedding during the standard part of the year, 4-6 weeks is my standard delivery time. During extremely busy times of the year, you're looking around 6-8 weeks but I pride myself on being able to deliver a sneak peek of around 10-15 images quickly for you to share and take in as I get the rest of your images to you. Images are delivered to an online gallery where you can order prints, download, and share to social media! The gallery is password protected but it's easily sharable with family and friends.

10. What is your cancellation and/or refund policy?

For cancellations the deposit is non-refundable but I work with couples for rescheduling with no fees involved and will work with you to make sure it's not another date I'm already booked for. With Covid cancelling and delaying weddings and events I completely understand this is out of all of our control and try to be as helpful and accommodating as I can.

Gallery

Awards

WeddingRule Editor’s Choice 2020